India seeks justice from Pak in 26/11 attack case

India on Thursday made it clear to Pakistan that bringing those guilty in the 2008 Mumbai attacks to justice is the biggest confidence building measure that Islamabad could do.

After two days of parleys, Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai and his Pakistani counterpart Jalil Abbas Jilani agreed that the relationship has to be normalised by narrowing divergences and building convergences.

"The foreign secretaries are mandated to discuss among other things peace and security, including CBMs. It is in this context that Foreign Secretary Jilani and I discussed all issues that impact peace and security between our two countries, including terrorism.

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"I emphasised terrorism is the biggest threat to peace and security in the region and bringing the guilty to justice in Mumbai terror attacks would be the biggest confidence building measure of all," Mathai told a joint press conference.

Jilani, on his part, rejected the role of state agencies in the Mumbai attacks and even expressed willingness for joint investigations into the 26/11 carnage in which 166 people were killed.

However, Mathai emphasised that the arrest of LeT terrorist Abu Jundal and his ongoing interrogation has added urgency to bringing perpetrators of 26/11 to justice.

"We reject any insinuation against any state agencies of Pakistan in any terror attack in India...Pakistan is even willing for a joint investigation into Mumbai attacks," Jilani said.

He said his talks with Mathai on peace and security, CBMs, Jammu and Kashmir and promotion of friendly exchanges have been substantive. "Both the countries face threat of terrorism. We should intensify our cooperation," he said.

Both sides described the talks as "frank, constructive and substantive".

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In the joint statement issued after the talks, both the sides said the foreign secretaries will meet again in Islamabad, on a date to be decided through diplomatic channels, to prepare for the meeting of the foreign ministers in September.

"The talks were held in a frank and constructive atmosphere. Both sides reiterated their desire to carry forward the dialogue process in a purposeful and result- oriented manner," it said.

The two countries also pitched for a constructive dialogue to promote greater trust and mutual understanding.

On the ongoing implementation of the already adopted nuclear and conventional CBMs, both the sides decided that separate meetings of the expert level groups on nuclear and conventional CBMs will be held.

These meetings will discuss the implementation and strengthening of the existing CBMs and suggest additional mutually acceptable steps that could build greater trust and confidence between the two countries, thereby contributing to peace and security.

"The foreign secretaries had a comprehensive exchange of views on the issue of Jammu and Kashmir and agreed to continue discussions in a purposeful and forward looking manner with the view to finding a peaceful solution by narrowing divergences and building convergences," it said.

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